Deer

Growing deer populations that encroach on urban areas may conflict with gardeners who are understandably frustrated by damage to plants, flowers and shrubs. Here we deal with the most common deer species in lowland gardens: fallow, roe and muntjac. The most effective way to keep deer out is a 2 metre high deer fence. Diversion planting is an alternative, as are specialist deterrent sprays, but the problem with sprays is that you will always have to keep renewing them.

Deer: Description & Life Cycle

Three species of deer are most commomly encountered in British gardens:

In order of size, these are:

Muntjac: These are small stocky deer measuring only about 50cm at the shoulders. Their haunches are higher than their withers, giving a hunched appearance. When alarmed their fairly wide white tail is held erect as they run off into the undergrowth.
Roe: Slightly larger than the muntjac, standing 60-75cm at the shoulder. In summer they have a rich russet/red coat and the male has distinctive antlers of about 30cm with usually three tines. Dietinctive white rump can be seen as they bound off into the undergrowth.
Fallow: Larger again than the roe. They stand 75-90cm at the shoulder. Many variations in colour from tan/fawn with white spots through brown to black and also a sandy/white variety. Males grow distinctive large 'flattened' antlers of about 50-70cm long, althoughs many grow antlers that are not flattened 'palmated' but just spiked.